Quote of the Week
“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”
– Audre Lorde
 The King County Council held several committee meetings this week, taking action on important measures to improve our region. Here are some highlights:
- At Tuesday’s Government Accountability and Oversight Committee meeting, we received briefings on the Department of Human Resources’ Combined Compensation Request and on legislation concerning the King County International Airport. We also took action on ordinances relating to the organization of the executive branch and assignment of administrative duties and responsibilities, as well as to the King County office of public complaints.
- During Tuesday’s Full Council meeting, we took action on an ordinance making a net supplemental appropriation to jail health services, adult and juvenile detention, and public health. The council also took action on motions acknowledging receipt of the report on toxics in King County wastewater effluent, the Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Inclusion Strategy report, and project eligibility criteria for the selection of projects to be funded by Conservation Futures.
- At Tuesday’s meeting of the Flood Control District Board of Supervisors, we took final action on our revised 2023 budget, operating budget, capital budget, and six-year capital improvement program for 2023-2028.
- During Wednesday’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meeting, we took action on motions adopting the schedule for King County's move to annual budgeting and acknowledging receipt of a report of capacity charge exemptions or cost reductions for those impacted by redlining and racial restrictive covenants. We also were briefed on our proposed COVID 10 budget and took action on an ordinance adopting the Harborview Medical Center 2024 Capital Improvement Program Annual Budget.
- At Wednesday’s Regional Policy Committee meeting, briefings were held on the King County Flood Control District annual update as well as the King County Regional Homelessness Authority follow-up.
If you missed any of these meetings, you can watch a video recording by choosing the meeting on this page.
 Transportation, Environment, and Economy Committee
At next Tuesday’s meeting at 9:30 a.m., the committee will receive three Metro briefings, which include information from Metro’s general manager; strengthening data, communication, and continuous improvement processes to reduce project delays; and Metro service statistics. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
Full Council
At next Tuesday’s meeting at 1:30 p.m., Executive Constantine will present County Service Awards, Councilmember Balducci will present a proclamation of the week of July 18th, 2023, as Taylor Swift Week in King County, and Councilmember von Reichbauer will present a recognition to Iam Tongi for winning “American Idol.” The council will also take action on an ordinance concerning the organization of the executive branch and assignment of administrative duties and responsibilities. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
Employment and Administration Committee
At next Tuesday’s meeting at 2:00 p.m., the committee will receive several briefings from the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, the Citizens' Elections Oversight Committee, and the Hearing Examiner Pro Tem. The committee will also take possible action on a motion confirming the reappointment of Julie Kang to the citizens' elections oversight committee as a representative of the Korean-speaking community. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
Committee of the Whole
At next Wednesday’s meeting at 9:30 a.m., the committee, which I chair, will receive an Executive COVID briefing as well as briefings on the Harborview Medical Center Oversight Work Group and the Harborview Medical Center Annual Report. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
Regional Transit Committee
At next Wednesday’s meeting at 3:00 p.m., the committee will receive a general manager’s report and be briefed on bus operations and electrification. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
Board of Health
At next Thursday’s meeting at 1:00 p.m., the Board will receive a public health budget update as well as a briefing on Board of Health membership and recruitment. The Board will also take possible action on a regulation relating to hazardous waste management. Meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting on the committee website here.
 Free vaccination events for south King County students providing COVID-19 vaccine and school-required vaccinations
Before school begins, all K-12 students in Washington state must be up to date on vaccinations required for school. Families are encouraged to beat the back-to-school rush and make a vaccination appointment with their child’s health care provider soon. Upcoming COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations required for school entry are available to children through age 18 at no-cost, convenient vaccination events, hosted by Go-Vax Kids, HealthPoint, Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, and Stepping Stone Pediatrics in collaboration with school districts and community-based organizations. Children can also get vaccinated at these clinics if they are uninsured, are experiencing homelessness, or recently moved to the U.S. and do not have a health care provider.
Take a look at Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Find a Clinic webpage for a list of no-cost vaccination events, locations, and times.
COVID
For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
This is what wildfire smoke does to your body: HealthLink – King 5
King County jails tackle staffing challenges, overdose risks, and other improvements – The Facts Northwest
Podcast | Your guide to helping combat climate change – Crosscut
6 in King County sickened in salmonella outbreak – The Seattle Times
First over-the-counter birth control pill gets FDA approval – AP News
Dangerous beauty: Cosmetics marketed to minorities come with cancer risk – King 5
 My cashless legislation became law
 I am very pleased that on Monday, my legislation requiring businesses in unincorporated King County to preserve the cash option for payment became law. I am confident that this measure, when enacted, will strongly benefit our community. See the full details on the legislation here.
King County International Airport reaches Level 2 in the ACI World Airport Carbon Accreditation Program
 By demonstrating actual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the King County International Airport has achieved Level 2 in the ACI World Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. This impressive milestone shows real dedication to the airport’s journey to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Read about this latest achievement here.
Comprehensive report on redlining in King County
 Racially restrictive covenants map of Seattle/King County. (Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, 2021.)
During the meeting of the Budget and Fiscal Management committee on Wednesday, a report assessing the real economic impacts of redlining and racially restrictive covenants in King County was discussed and accepted. This report was initiated by my budget proviso in our 2021-2002 biennial budget, which was initially utilized as a path to look at the possibility of allowing sewer capacity charge exemptions on new construction in areas that had historically been redlined. The report provides an in-depth economic analysis of the intergenerational wealth lost by BIPOC residents in King County who were impacted by redlining and other such race-based restrictive covenants in real estate practices.
The report also highlights various methods other states and jurisdictions have used to provide reparations to communities impacted by structural racism. Additionally, it includes interviews with affected community members and other qualitative research that shows the depth of impact these restrictions have had and continue to have on people. Although the report did not ultimately recommend capacity charge exemptions as a method of providing redress, it provides a basis on which King County may be able to build future legislation to provide some form of reparations and redress for BIPOC communities.
If you are interested in learning more, you can access the full report here or read related coverage from The Seattle Times here.
Orca Day
 Today is Orca Day! Orcas are an important part of our region’s marine environment, making today a necessary day to reflect on the work we’ve done so far to preserve this population and heavy lifting that’s still left to do. King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks has taken up the work of restoring salmon populations so that the orcas have something to eat, because without salmon, there are no orcas. Check out this video to see how King County DNRP is protecting Chinook salmon and supporting orcas.
Independent Retailer Month in King County
 This month, consider exploring local businesses in your community to support Independent Retailer Month. Seattle is home to tons of exciting local spots that might just become your new favorite. If you don’t know where to start, check out this directory of local businesses in the area.
 Help shape the future of transit
Get ready for changes to your neighborhood bus routes. To support the opening of Lynnwood Link light rail in 2024, King County Metro and Sound Transit are creating new service plans. Help finalize these bus routes by taking the survey by August 27th – your feedback is important!
Visit Lynnwood Link Connections to learn more about the potential bus route changes, take the survey and register for an upcoming online open house, which will be held on:
- Monday, July 24, from 12-1:30 p.m. (register here)
- Tuesday, August 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. (register here)
- Saturday, August 19 from 10-11:30 a.m. (register here)
Sound Transit: July webinars on South Lake Union stations
If you live, work, or spend time in South Lake Union, Sound Transit would like your feedback on potential South Lake Union stations. Sound Transit will hold two live webinars in July to share project updates for the Denny and South Lake Union stations, answer questions, and collect input from transit riders. Feedback from these webinars will be shared with the Sound Transit Board of Directors and inform the status report and potential action on July 27th.
July webinars will be held on:
For more information about the upcoming webinars and how to attend, visit Sound Transit’s online open house. Stay current with the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions projects here.
Happy retirement to Megan Rapinoe
 Megan Rapinoe announced this week that this season will be her last and that she will be retiring after this year’s World Cup. Megan has been an inspiring advocate and voice for so many, and I’m sure she will continue to speak out on important issues, as she has for so many years. Congratulations to Megan on an exceptional athletic career – may her inspiration and leadership continue as she makes this transition.
 Ballard Seafood Fest
 This weekend, July 14th – 16th, honor Ballard’s maritime heritage with the ultimate celebration of Ballard and beyond with free live music, family fun, arts, crafts, and food vendors, succulent seafood, and an impressive craft beer showcase at the Ballard Seafood Fest. Learn more about the exciting event here.
CID Food Walk
 This Saturday, July 15th, visit Seattle’s Chinatown-International District for the summertime CID Food Walk from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants, retailers, and vendors, and enjoy exploring the neighborhood. Click here to learn more.
Belltown Walking Tour
This Saturday, July 15th, join Belltown United for a walking tour at 2:00 p.m. The July tour will be led by Belltown United’s Artist in Residence Aaron Asis — and will explore unique urban landscapes in Belltown, focused on Vine, Bell, and Battery Streets. This event is free and open to the public. To register, click here.
Festival Sundiata – Black Arts Fest
This Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th, visit the Seattle Center Armory from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. for Festival Sundiata, presented by Seattle Center Festál and Sundiata African American Cultural Association. This celebration is the longest-running Black Arts fest in the Pacific Northwest, bringing together the community to celebrate peoples of African descent, and honoring the many cultures, traditions, and histories through music, art, food, education, and more. Learn more about this free event here.
Bite of Seattle
 From Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, experience 200 local vendors, craft beer and cider tastings, 50+ musical guests including headliners Sir Mix-A-Lot and Polyrhythmics, and so much more at Bite of Seattle, held at Seattle Center. Entry to this weekend-long festival is free! Learn more here.
34th Annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow
 From Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, you are invited to join United Indians of All Tribes in celebration of the annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow. Enjoy delicious food, music, and dance at this free event. All are welcome to join the celebration and learn more about Native culture at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center grounds. Learn more about the event here.
If you know of any events that you would like to see highlighted in my enews, feel free to share them at lilli.deleon@kingcounty.gov.
 Open positions with King Conservation District
The King Conservation District, which is not a part of the King County government, has an immediate opening for the position of Stewardship Assistant, who serves as a member of a team of conservation professionals in a growing, county wide, natural resource management special purpose district. Another open position is for a Finance and Grants Coordinator, who will provide financial and administrative assistance to the Chief Administrative Officer and District Staff, while also assisting in administering grants to external organizations and partner jurisdictions. For more information on these two open positions and a link to apply, click here.
Equity and Social Justice Coordinator
The King County Council has an Equity and Social Justice Coordinator position available. This individual will be a key partner in developing, engaging, and leading inclusive practices with both staff and communities, and will be responsible for supporting and advancing the legislative branch’s ESJ and culture change efforts. Desired applicants will have strong experience effectively supporting and implementing racial equity, inclusion, and social justice programs and initiatives. Please submit your application before July 23rd. For more information on this position and a link to apply, click here.
 King County Vets Engaged
The deadline for the King County Vets Engaged grant has been extended to Wednesday, July 19th. This program awards small grants for entities to convene community-building events and networks that increase social connection for veterans, military servicemembers, their respective families and other non-veterans in King County. This funding aims to cultivate a sense of belonging among veterans that can help bridge the civilian-military divide between veterans, servicemembers, and the general population in King County. For more information on this grant and to apply, click here.
WaterWorks Grant Program
 The WaterWorks Council allocated funding track is accepting applications until July 31st. This program provides approximately $5 million in funding every two years to organizations carrying out a variety of water quality improvement projects in the service area for King County's regional wastewater system. Nonprofits, schools and educational institutions, cities, counties, tribes, and special purpose districts are all eligible to apply—and partnerships are encouraged.
For questions about the WaterWorks council-allocation review or selection process, please contact Clara Manahan on my staff at Clara.Manahan@kingcounty.gov.
Salmon Recovery Project Innovation and Community Grants
The WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council is encouraging submission of proposals that support innovative or conceptual projects that contribute to early stages of future capital project development and/or incorporate equity and environmental justice principles into salmon recovery work. These funds provide an opportunity to advance necessary aspects of salmon recovery by initiating project planning and development in priority areas of the watershed and fostering community-building and collaboration to meet multiple objectives. For more information on this opportunity and a link to the application, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Bryon at cbyron@kingcounty.gov.
King Conservation District Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program
 The King Conservation District Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program invests in natural resource improvements led by, or in deep partnership with, communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustice and systemic racism. Eligible projects can focus on natural resource improvement including:
- Managing and preventing pollution from stormwater runoff
- Protecting and restoring creeks, shorelines and wetlands
- Improving soil health
- Restoring urban forests, or other native plant stewardship
- Building a sustainable, equitable food system
Applications must be submitted before August 9th at 5:00 p.m. For more information on this opportunity and a link to the application, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Saavedra at Jessica.Saavedra@kingcd.org.
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants
The Biden-Harris Administration opened a streamlined application process for more than $5.5 billion in funding to help carry out major infrastructure projects across the country. From fixing rural roads to addressing some of the most recognizable bridges and tunnels in the country, the funds from these programs will help support transformational infrastructure projects across the nation. For more detailed information on these programs and a link to the applications, click here.
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods
The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering three grant types: Community Planning Grants, Capital Construction Grants, and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants.
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Community Planning Grants will award RCP and/or NAE funding for planning activities for future construction projects and allow for innovative community planning to address localized transportation challenges.
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Capital Construction Grants will award RCP and/or NAE funding to carry out a project to remove, retrofit, mitigate, or replace an existing eligible dividing transportation facility with a new facility that reconnects communities; mitigates a burdening transportation facility that is a source of air pollution, noise, stormwater, heat, or other burdens; or implements a strategy to reduce environmental harm and/or improve access through transportation improvements.
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Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants will award NAE funding to a project led by two or more eligible applicants to address a persistent regional challenge related to equitable access and mobility. Eligible activities for Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants are the same as those listed under Capital Construction and Community Planning Grants but must have a regional focus, and clearly demonstrate regional coordination and leveraging of local, State, and Federal resources and policies.
For more detailed information on these programs and a link to the applications, click here.
Public Art Calls
 Opportunities for artist calls are available by 4Culture, as well as a selection of calls submitted by organizations around the world. Visit the 4Culture website to see all open calls, grants, jobs, and other opportunities.
 He wanted to pet dogs for his 100th birthday. Hundreds lined up.
 When Alison Moore was mulling over ideas for her father’s 100th birthday last month, she knew that the celebration needed to include as many dogs as possible. One week before the celebration, Alison posted on the networking site Nextdoor, as well as Facebook, asking for dogs in San Jose to stop by for a pet parade. Before long, people began to share her post on social media. When the birthday pup-parade began, Alison expected that maybe 20-30 dogs would arrive, but to her surprise and to the joy of her father, over 200 dogs, owners, and children flocked to the parade. Read more about this touching story here.
Helpful and informative links
Seattle's county seat passes cashless ban – ATM Marketplace
What to know about seeing the northern lights from WA – The Seattle Times
3 Lake Washington swimming beaches closed due to high levels of bacteria – The Renton Reporter
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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